Exchange rate and Export of Bangladesh: Does Marshall-Lerner condition holds?

Export is expected to have a favorable impact on GDP growth, and the exchange rate is expected to have a major impact on export and thus export earnings. The relationship between exchange rate and export is a hotly debated topic in macroeconomics, and the goal of this research is to see if the Marshall-Lerner condition holds incase of Bangladesh that is if devaluation of domestic currency increase export earnings. Explanatory variables of the model in the study are the exchange rate, foreign income (WGDP), and domestic income (DGDP). Cointegration approaches; Error Correction model, Granger Causality test are used in this study to estimate the long and short-run impacts. With time series data from 1973Q3 to 2018Q2, we used the Error Correction Model and the Granger Causality Test. The findings of VECM support short-run exchange rate and export adjustments. The bidirectional causality between exchange rate and export is established using the Granger causality test.

An Analysis of Covid-19 Supply and Demand, and Impacts on the Post-Pandemic World

Covid-19 has impacted the world in an unprecedented way. The astounding rate that Covid-19 spreads has made it a universal and ubiquitous threat, affecting every facet of our daily life, causing changes in behavioral characteristics among individuals, communities, and governments. Accordingly, there have been drastic changes in domestic markets, governmental policies, and decision-making processes in this environment in supply and demand. This paper reviews the current market situation facing Covid 19, economic sector’s responses so far and its impact on post-pandemic era. Covid-19 has been a warning sign that we have to do better. Although the world was unprepared for this global crisis, this could be an opportunity for governments and businesses to learn from the experience and harden up to do better under abrupt challenges that could arise in the future.

The Impact of COVID – 19 on Employee’s Job Security and Job Satisfaction of Bangladesh

This paper presents a comprehensive diagnosis of Job Security and Job Satisfaction of different service sector in Bangladesh. The different service sector job holders are in a precarious situation in terms of their job security. The survey questionnaire was modeled to measure the job security & job satisfaction of an employee in this Covid-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate the vacillation of job security for different service sector employees. Job security and Job Satisfaction is one of the vexed questions here in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. It focuses on the relative importance of Job Security and job satisfaction factors and their impact on the employment. The result shows that working conditions, chance to try my own methods and co workers harmony are the most important factors contributing to job satisfaction during COVID-19. For this purpose, we formed questionnaire of 300 service sector employees such as Teachers School, College and University; bankers, doctors, engineers etc. to find out the actual scenarios. It also investigates the influence of age, gender and managerial/non managerial differences on the attitude towards job satisfaction. The study also examines the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction factors. Based on the findings, the employees at different service sector they were slightly satisfied with their jobs. Service sector employees are agonizing mostly due to this problem.

Sherman Act 1890: Modernization and Impact on Markets

The major purpose of the Sherman Act was to prevent mergers from forming monopolies. It ensures consumers are protected from price discrimination, and there is free competition. Several economists, classical economists, neoclassical economists, Chicago school and Harvard school, pointed out several antitrust laws. Classical economists led by Smith argued that monopolists set prices at higher prices and raise their charges higher through understocking the markets hence corporations and mergers should be prevented. Neoclassical economists developed a model which assumes that there are no barriers to entry whereby there is free entry to the market. Harvard school also advocated for free competition. Either, the Chicago school was against the idea of free competition and proposed some acts from the antitrust laws to be removed. However, with advancements in technology, the Sherman Act has become outdated and some languages used are held, making it a challenge to interpret in courts. There is a need for the antitrust laws to be reformed to fit the changing technology. Bills should be proposed to make improvements to the acts. For example, Klobuchar Amy, in April 2021, proposed a bill seeking to reform antitrust laws to better perfect competition in the American economy.

Does National Debt Matter? -Analysis Based on The Economic Theories

The national debt has been increasing at a higher percentage than the GDP of the United States. Since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, national increased dramatically since the country borrowed to finance its expenditures. Moreover, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, national debt increased to 105% of the GDP. There have been worries about whether the national debt is a matter of concern, and many theories have been developed to explain national debt. The classical economists advocated for a balanced budget where taxes finance government expenditure. Keynes argued that governments should borrow to finance their spending to avoid a decrease in demand. The pecking order theory argued that when businesses use all their retained earnings, they should prefer debts to equity to finance their expenditures. Trade-off theory advocated for financing through debt because it is cheaper. Debt payments of a company are deductible through tax, and less risk is involved when taking debt than equity. Finally, the neoclassical economists assumed that government debt has a one-time maturity and pays the current interest rate. Using the concepts of these theories, it is clear that national debt should not be a matter of concern because it is cheaper to pay debt than equity and debt benefits a country in the long run.

Sabah State Election 2020: Victory of Alias Haji Sani (WARISAN) at DUN 53 Sekong

The Sabah state assembly was dissolved on 30 July 2020 by the Chief Minister Shafie Apdal to prevent a coup by the previous Chief Minister Musa Aman through his “Group 33”. The 2020 Sabah State election was held on 26 September 2020 involved a record total of 447 candidates vying for 73 state seats. The main contest was between the WARISAN-PLUS of 5 political parties and a group of 9 political parties under the coalition of the newly minted Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). GRS managed to wrest the state government by comfortably winning 38 out of 73 seats with additional 3 seat came from pro-GRS independent candidates. Nevertheless, WARISAN managed to retain N53 Sekong even as the incumbent have been dropped after 26 months at the helm. This article studied on issues surrounding the victory of Alias Haji Sani during the election. The findings of this articles uses primary data, secondary data, online sources dan participative observation findings. The victory of Alias Haji Sani shows that the influence of people-centric and “Gentlemen Politics Budiman” identification is stronger than political affiliation.

Influences of Vitamin D and B12 in Infectious Diseases and Microbes: A Technical Review

A diet rich in vitamin D. Bacteria, antibiotics, and metabolism Vitamin D deficiency viral microbiomes Gut Microbiome and Vitamin D. B vitamin deficiency results from malabsorption. SIF complex indirectly enhances B12 absorption. This complex gives the ileum vitamin B12. Anti-infective properties of B12 and D. B12 and D seem to slow Lachnospiraceae growth. P-cresol, butyrate, propionate Lachnospira is linked to low B12 and D levels. Debatable value. Processed foods do. B12 and D stop Blautia growth. IBD B12 deficiency IBD vitamin D Lactobacillus was infrequent, whereas E. coli was common. This present study revealed that IPA, an antioxidant, has been associated with diabetes and Alzheimer's. IPA beats melatonin. It doesn't appear to stop Alzheimer's or diabetes. Flavonoids and neuroprotective viruses D and B12 metabolism may involve Blautia. Deficiency of B12 and D in Crohn's. It reduced butyrate production. Inflammation, atherosclerosis, and immunological maturation may be cured by these nutrients.

Factors affecting customers’ online shopping behavior during Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

Online shopping is one of the fastest-growing marketplaces in Bangladesh. But during the Covid 19, when other sectors are stable, only online shopping has gained a greater positive response. Thus, for online shopping, customers’ behavior is influenced by various factors including fare price, product quality, and durability, trust & security, etc. The study aims to identify the factors that influence the customers’ online shopping behavior during the Covid-19 in Bangladesh under the effect of control variables. The results indicate that of the eight dimensions, features and quality, fair price, performance and durability, trust and reliability, security, E-service quality, ease of use, and time are positively and significantly affect customers' online buying behavior during the Covid-19 in Bangladesh. Concerning the influence of these factors on customers, the study finds that features and quality, performance and durability, trust and reliability, e-service quality, ease of use and time factors influence the customers’ online buying behavior during the pandemic in Bangladesh. Online shopping companies must focus on these factors to get a higher response from people in Bangladesh.

Role of India in Rohingya Crisis: Humanitarian Role and Geopolitical Interest

Globally considered one of the most persecuted minority groups, the Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in northern Rakhine who have fled Myanmar in a large-scale exodus since August 2017. More than 700,000 refugees fled to Bangladesh after a military crackdown on Rohingyas last August, following the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army’s attack on Myanmar’s military posts. This massive refugee outflow of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar into Bangladesh has created a humanitarian crisis that carries implications on regional stability and security and also outrage among the international community. As a neighbor country, Bangladesh expects India’s respond promptly to support the government. This paper briefly examines India’s approach towards the Roh-ingya crisis and explores ways for India through its role in humanitarian and geopolitical including diplomatic, domestic political compulsions, security and economic interest. It also analyses India’s response to the Rohingya crisis focusing on India-Myanmar relations and also India’s need to counter China’s growing influence in its neighborhood. The paper also argues that as a neighbor friend and partner of Bangladesh, the role of India in Rohingya crisis has become a global expectation for peace and conflict resolution.

Portrayal of Bangladeshi Existentialism: “Like a Diamond in the Sky” in Context

Shazia Omar, a Bangladeshi novelist, depicts the less-known imagery of modern Dhaka in her debut novel “Like a Diamond in the Sky” (2009) where she portrays Bangladesh infected with depression, drug addiction, power-play, corruption and fundamentalism. Deen, the protagonist, is lost in addiction, isolated from his mother and outer world but in love with Maria, aware of the future of Bangladesh and eager to search for the meaning of life. Deen, which literally implies the earthly life in Bangla, is an existentialist who is conscious of himself and the people around him. He is aware of his capacity, limitation, existence and essence. He comments on different orders and institutions that hinder at the path of freedom, and about politicization and islamisation in Bangladesh. Not only Deen but also his widowed mother, his friend AJ, drug peddler Falani, the sergeant of the Police, Deen’s girlfriend Maria- all are conscious of their existence and essence. This novel is about a journey from a dark and aimless world to redemption, to a meaningful life. Omar presents existentialism and existential crisis as noticed in Bangladesh in her novel where almost all characters try to find the meaning of life, though in different ways. Omar says in an interview that the novel “explores their feeling of alienation in the chaotic metropolis of Dhaka city” and her protagonist struggles “to find a spiritual connection”. Before writing this novel, Shazia Omar researched in a rehab in Mumbai, visited slums of Bangladesh and thus shaded light on the darker and less-discussed imagery of Bangladesh. “Like a Diamond in the Sky” is thoroughly examined in the light of existentialism, developed by Descartes, Kierkegaard, Sartre and Heidegger. This paper analyses how “Like a Diamond in the Sky” represents Bangladeshi existentialism, and existentialists who are conscious of existence and essence. It also discusses the observation, of Omar’s characters projected in the novel, about established orders and institutions and finally, desire for freedom and searching for meaning of life.